Police search for boy after he falls into icy river east of Montreal

UPTON, Qc - A boot belonging to a missing boy was the only trace of him found before darkness forced Quebec provincial police to suspend their search Tuesday.

Police will resume their efforts Wednesday morning to find the six-year-old boy who vanished underneath the ice after falling into a frozen river east of Montreal.

Two boots were found 150 and 200 metres from the water's edge during the search. One is believed to belong to the missing boy and the other to his older brother.

The boy fell through the ice while playing along the shore behind a home on Monday, as his older brother, a friend and even the friend's dog struggled to help pull him from the water.

The dog also fell into the water during the rescue attempt, vanishing into the icy river.

"The two other boys — his brother and the friend — and the dog went to go and try to save their friend, who was clinging on to the ice, but unfortunately they were unable to hold him up," said provincial police Sgt. Daniel Thibodeau.

"The dog as well tried to help, tried to grab on to the boy. But he fell into the water as well and at a certain point the boy went underneath the ice and the dog a short time later."

Initial reports said the youngster fell into the Riviere Noire while trying to save his dog after it fell through thin ice.

The older boys alerted authorities on Monday.

Local firefighters drilled holes in the river so divers could conduct searches Tuesday.

"We have divers in the water looking for evidence and looking for the boy as well," Thibodeau said.

Residents who live along the river, some 80 kilometres east of Montreal, have been asked to check their shorelines for any sign of the child.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version incorrectly said the boy had gone on the ice to save his dog.